New Zealand helps Samoa Fisheries

20 July 2016, 12:00AM

Samoa’s ability to monitor its fisheries resources has received a massive injection thanks to the government of New Zealand.

Last week, the N.Z. High Commission Office through Senior Development Officer, Situfu Salesa, presented the government with tools to help them.

The donation came through the N.Z. Ministry for Primary Industries (M.P.I) and its Pacific Fisheries Aid Cooperation programme as part of its efforts to assist S.I.D.S members.

The donation included 6 Toshiba Laptop computers donated to the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. 

In addition, previous assistance includes the provision of assets which have assisted via Offshore Patrol vessels conducting regional maritime surveillance operations including Samoa’s fishery waters. 

The H.M.N.Z Otago completed a four days Joint Patrol of Samoa and Tokelau fishery waters last week. Two Samoan ship-rider officers, Constable Siliato Fa’ameo and Fisheries Officer, Tamaleaoa Leilua, from Police Maritime and Fisheries Division embarked on the patrol vessel and conducted boarding inspections of fishing vessels in Samoa waters. 

“Operation Calypso” provided an opportunity to build a closer working relationship between New Zealand and Samoa in deterring Illegal Unreported Unregulated (I.U.U) fishing activities in the region. 

This assistance from New Zealand is consistent with Conservation Management Measures on special requirement of Small Island Developing States (CMM2013-07) where by assistance is provided from developed countries who are members of the W.C.P.F.C to support the development and management aspirations of S.I.D.S Fisheries. Underpinning these work, is the reliant on robust M.C.S programmes, where NZ has contributed enormously. 

Samoa and NZ Fisheries Officials have already undertaken a gap analysis in which assistance will be directed to address gaps and further strengthen Samoa’s implementation of MCS tools at both national and regional level.

A.C.E.O Fisheries, Joyce Samuelu Ah Leong acknowledged the ongoing support from New Zealand through the Ministry of Primary Industry Pacific Aid Programme. 

Police Maritime O.I.C, Sefo Faafoi, also thanked New Zealand for their help.

20 July 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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